1987_09 The Daily Collegian September 1987

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hungry Bulldo
Offense adjusting to
life without Sweeney
By Let Passman
Sports Writer
\
The biggest question this season for Fresno
Stale football fans is who's going to fill die
void on offense left by    most of its top
Over the past two seasons the Bulldog
offense has been the glittering centerpiece of a
squad that compiled a 20-2-1 record and the
1985 California Bowl title. This year, though,
die Dog offense has lost all but onI starter to
graduation. \     S'
The nucleus of die offense that enjoyed
such wild success — record-setting
quarterback Kevin Sweeney and wide recri vers
Stephen Baker and Gene Taylor — were all
drafted by NFL teams. If that's not enough,
the Dogs also lost both starting running
backs from last year — tailback James
Williams and fullback Anthony Moseley,
bom 1986 AU-PCAA second team selections.
- With the departure of that kind of talent
from an offensive unit that averaged 34
points a game over the last two seasons mere
might be definite cause for concern -.
However, Bulldog coach Jim Sweeney hasn't
despaired over die graduation blues.
"We have not been idle," says Sweeney.
The cupboard is not bare." Observers may
tend to disagree with Sweeney, but die
coach's statement certainly has some validity
to it. Even though just one player returns in
■87 who started every game last season — AU-
PCAA tackle Mike Withycombe — there are
16 returning lettermen on die offensive unit.
Also, there are four players coming back
who started at least one game in 1986.
Regardless of who is returning or not
returning at the other 'offensive positions, ah
eyes in'87 will be on the quarterback spot
This will be the first time in five years that
Fresno State will start the season without
Kevin Sweeney lining up behind center.
Sweeney set virtually every passing record in
school history and most notably holds the
NCAA Division I career passing yardage record
of 10,623 yards.
While a lot of offense and a large piece of
history leave with Kevin Sweeney, four new
quarterbacks   will be vying to fill the large
vacancy created by his graduation. Kevin's
father is well aware of the implications of the
"We can't have our quarterbacks shoulder
the load that Kevin did the last two years," said
Sweeney.
There will be changes but they will be
sutbfe," he said.
The decision over who will lead the offense
has come down to a two-man battle between
sophomore Eric Buechele. the likely starter,
and much improved junior Dave Telford, a
redshirt last season.
Buechele saw brief action as Sweeney's
backup last season, completing five of 11
passes for 70 yards. "I have a great deal of
confidence in Buechele," said coach Sweeney.
"He has plenty of arm strength from both a
velociry and distance standpoint He has a good
understanding of the game and I believe hell
be a good young competitor."
In the meantime, Telford has made a
surprising development since spring practice to
become a genuine contender for playing time.
"In the spring, Telford wasn't at a Division I
level as a quarterback," said Sweeney. "He
didn't have much speed and he couldn't throw
the long ball."
Over the summer though, Telford lifted
weights and gained arm strength. He received
high marks from Sweeney and the coaching
staff for Ins performance in the Red-Blue
.scrimmage last week, which pushed him
toward the front in the quarterback derby.
The other player who figured to contend for
the starting QB spot —junior college transfer
Dan English — didn't have such good luck in
the off-season. In March, English fractured his
wrist in a bicycle accident. He had to have a
steel plate inserted which was removed in
June-
While the injury set English far behind in
the quarterback race, Sweeney still thinks he
could possibly contribute this season. "He's
improving a lot as far as being able to throw
again." said Sweeney. "It's going to be a
while before he's back to form."
Freshman Mark Barsoui is the fourth man
in the quarterback picture. At the beginning of
practice it looked as if Barsoui would be
redshirted this season. However, he has
performed so well in practice that the
coaching staff is rethinking its position. "His
entry skill level was very surprising to us,"
said Sweeney.
This coupled with English's injury, could
make Barsoui die third quarterback this year.
At the receivers, things seem to be a little
more determined. Brock Smith and Ron
Jcnkim. a pair of seniors, will be taking
over the starting spots. Sweeney seems quite
satisfied with his new set of starters. "Smith
and Jenkins are both quality wide receivers,"
says Sweeney. .
Smith served as the Dogs' third receiver last
season and had 14 receptions for an average
of 213 yards a catch with two touchdowns.
Jenkins caught only.four passes last year/but
one was for a touchdown in the final game
said Sweeney.
The receiving corps should also get a boost 1
from three JC transfers. Andre Alexander (5-
foot-8, 165 pounds) and Allen Gardenhire (6-
foot-1,180) should see time at split end along
with Smith. Anthony Williams, (6-foot, 175)
will see duty at flanker. "Anthony displayed
the most preparation and readiness of anyone
we have had join Our program as a wide
receiver," said Sweeney. * ~^—
The Dogs have some experience returning
at running back, most notably in junior
tailback Kelly Skipper. The 5-foot-6. 180-
pound Skipper was second on the team in
' rushing last year with 518 yards and averaged
nearly five yards a carry.
He will take over for James Williams at
tailback. Fullback, though, is something that
has proven to be potentially troublesome for
die Bulldogs. The biggest concern besides
quarterback is replacing Anthony Moseley,"
said Sweeney. "He could have carried the ball
a great deal more than he actually did." Indeed,
Sweeney is not underestimating Moseley's
importance to the offense. Moseley ran for 368
yards in 1986 and was second on the team in
pass receptions with 29.
Things were not made any easier when
sophomore Kelly Brooks, who was being
counted on at fullback, went down with a knee
injury the first day of practice and has been
declared out for the season. As a result, 5-foot-
11, 200-pound senior Dean Collins has been
converted from backup tailback to starting
fullback. "He has the potential to be as good
as Moseley," said Sweeney.
Courtney Griffin, a vastly- improved redshirt
freshman, will be counted on as the number
two tiilhflfk, There are also high hopes for
Darrell Rosette, a JC transfer out of Phoenix
who has been hampered by injury. Senior Ron
Sims looks to be the number two man at
fullback. Second-year freshman Adrian Cooks
should also get playing* time at that position.
The offensive line looks to be" solid and
may be the strongest aspect of the offensive
unit. For one thing, it is the area that contains
the only returning full-time starter in the 6-
foot-6   senior- Withycombe  at  left  tackle.
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Withycombe returns as an AU-American
candidate and is an "88 NFL draft hopeful. "He
has the size and pass blocking skills which
will cause pro scouts to observe him closely."
said Sweeney.
However. Withycombe recently pulled a
thigh muscle that kept him out of practice for (
a while. Although Sweeney admits concern.'
Withycombe will most likely be ready to play
this Saturday at Washington State. Behind
Withycombe is 6-foot-6. 280-pound Fil Lujan.
a JC transfer out of Azusa.
. The other line positions seem a little more
up for grabs. Left guard has become a battle
between junior Garry Walden, injured last
season, and sophomore Paul Vial, a transfer
from the University of Montana. Brian
FollandV a senior who started four games last
year, looks like the starting center. He will be
backed up by 'junior Dave Ewing and
sophomore Jim Rademann.
Senior Paul Portesi, who started die first
five games of '86 is projected as the starting
right guard. JC transfer Ray Langhaim also
figures to push for playing time. Right tackle
could well be die most heated competition
on the offensive unit. Junior Jeff Truschel is
listed first on the depth chart and started the
first- eight games last season. However,
Truschel is being challenged by sophomore
Jeff Sltidrnore.
Sweeney is certainly more titan content
with his offensive line. "I was pleased with
diem going into practice and my admiration
for diem has increased," he said. The depth
there is developing all the time."
Sophomore Rich Bartlewski should be the
starting tight end. A pair of juniors — Jeff
S warning and transfer Craig Jones — both
figure to receive substantial action.
The Dogs' most lethal offensive weapon
may be senior kicker Barry Belli, Fresno
State's all-time leading scorer. "Barry's field
goal and kickon abilities make him a bonafide
first string Ail-American candidate," said
Sweeney. "He should have a brilliant NFL
career after his FSU finale."
Belli will for the second consecutive year
double as the Bulldog punter. In 1986, he
averaged 38 yards per/punt.
"Few, if any collegiate kickers have ever
possessed the kicking and punting ability of
Barry Belli," said Sweeney. "Raymond Guy is
the only one I know who comes close. Belli
punted a 95 -y aider in a practice scrimmage this
spring. His punting has improved dra¬
matically.
.